Don’t know who to keep an eye on this year? Don’t fret, as Fight Sport Asia has you covered.

As the UFC looks to expand in Asia this year, Fight Sport Asia decided to take an in depth look at who we think will make the biggest impact in the next twelve months.

After the UFC signed Asian prospects Hyun Gyu Lim, Kyoji Horiguchi and Doo Ho Choi in 2013. Don’t be surprised to see that signing spree continue throughout the calendar year.

With 2013 exploding with many upcoming prospects. This is an exciting time for Asia, who many said was ‘dead’ in the fight game and had no talent left.

While the UFC remains the biggest Mixed Martial Arts promotion on the planet. Across the pond Pancrase, DEEP, Shooto, ONE FC among others have produced top talent throughout the years. And they don’t seem to be letting up in 2014.

The 23-year-old began his journey in Mixed Martial Arts back in 2010, and gained recognition after winning the 2011 Shooto – Rookie Tournament. As well as winning the Tournament, Tanaka was also crowned the MVP.

Michinori soon moved to Pacific Xtreme Combat, where he would eventually claim Bantamweight gold overcoming Crisanto Pitpitunge.

Tanaka closed his year out by successfully defending his 135-lb strap for a first time vs. Kyle Aguon, and ended 2013 with a perfect 3-0 resume.

China’s hottest commodity has rolled through opponents since making his professional debut in the sport, but know one of notable worth.

Although his record states he’s flawless at 14-0 and has not fought since 2012. The Xin Sports product stayed relatively busy throughout 2013, and racked up a three-fight win streak [possibly more] fighting under some of the smaller promotions in China.

It was reported last year that the Bantamweight prospect had signed with the UFC. But soon after, Fight Sport Asia confirmed with sources close to the fighters camp who denied reports of the signing.

With the UFC heading back to Macau in March, there’s a good chance the 27-year-old free agent gets a spot on the card.

Hong Kong’s native son Eddie Ng has become a fan favorite on the Asian MMA scene.

Making his rounds in ONE FC, Eddie was in fact offered a UFC contract late last year. However, after careful consideration “The Magician” opted to stay in Asia for the time being and progress his overall game.

The only blemish of his career comes at the hands of Joakim Engberg back in 2010. And since then Eddie has went onto dispose of opponents, winning five in-a-row with just one of his foes making it out of the first round.

At 26-years of age Nakajima is in fact 11-1 since making his professional debut back in 2010.

The Japanese fighter is an aggressive, crowd-pleasing striker that fans love to watch.

Kazuki ended 2013 without a blemish on his record going 4-0 for the year, extending his win streak to ten.

Unfortunately, most of the guys who compete under the RINGS organization are tied down pretty tight to their contracts. So it’s doubtful we see someone like Nakajima stepping outside of Asia anytime soon.

Isao Kobayashi is currently riding high at the moment, having gone 8-0-2 in his last ten outings.

Pancrase’s Lightweight King had a quiet 2013 matching up against Mixed Martial Arts veteran Jorge Patino and then defending his prestigious crown against Yoshiaki Takahashi.

The young prospect has fallen just once in his professional career, and that came at the hands of Koji Oishi. But in 2012 Isao got his revenge and defeated his foe, as well as claiming the Lightweight King of Pancrase title in the process.

Now onto 2014, Kobayashi looks to keep a three-year undefeated run intact.

We here at Fight Sport Asia expect big things for Kobayashi in the next twelve months.

The Bantamweight King was possibly on the verge of signing with the UFC back in 2013, before dropping an incredible bout to Kyoji Horiguchi. Both men were involved in a back-and-forth battle, which eventually saw Shintaro get stopped in the fifth round, in a well deserved Fight of the Year candidate.

Prior to the fight the 28-year-old was on a solid six-fight win streak.

Ishiwatari looks to build momentum, after his most recent win over Alan Yoshihiro Yamaniwa at PANCRASE 255.

Shintaro defends his Bantamweight crown against dangerous Submission artist Yo Saito at the Differ Ariake later next month.

With the explosion of Women’s Mixed Martial Arts it was only fitting to add one of its brightest young stars.

The 19-year-old burst onto the Asian MMA scene fighting for JEWELS [now – DEEP: JEWELS] in her native Japan, where she went onto win her first two bouts, before losing to eventual Champion Ayaka Hamasaki.

Inoue hasn’t looked back since and has notched up a five-fight win streak, with three of those coming in 2013; including a successful debut on U.S soil defeating Bec Hyatt at Invicta FC.

Mizuki also cemented a place in the DEEP: JEWELS Lightweight (114-lbs) Tournament Finals defeating Emi Fujino.

The young phenom squares off against Emi Tomimatsu next month for the inaugural title.

The 23-year-old began his journey into Mixed Martial Arts making his professional debut at ZST, where he won his opening bout submitting (Kneebar) Shinichi Taira.

Since then, Kawana has went on to tap all but one of his opponents.

Last year proved to be a great twelve months for Yuki, who posted a 2-0 record—which included a win over Akira Toritani in the Shooto – Welterweight Rookie finals, to stamp his name on Asia’s MMA scene.

Takeshi Kasugai remained one of Asia’s busiest fighters last year going 5-0 for the calendar year.

The 25-year-old had an incredible 2013 disposing of opponents with ease fighting under the HEAT & Demolition banners.

With the UFC looking to expand their Flyweight division, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Kasugai make his Octagon debut later this year.

As it stands Shimura Dojo’s prize student hasn’t tasted defeat since 2010, and has since chalked up a ten-fight win streak.Mark Striegl (12-1)

Mark Striegl remains the Philippines most promising young prospects.

But last year saw the 25-year-old drop his first bout of his professional career when he squared off against Jang Yong Kim.

After tasting defeat for the first time, Striegl looked to get back on track following the loss when he was set to face Ev Ting for a second time in their career. But after his opponent missed weight the bout was cancelled.

As a new year begins “Mugen” looks to climb back into title contention with PXC.

Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii transitioned to the sport back in 2009. And since then, Ishii has faced stern competition in his young career with names like Paulo Filho, Tim Sylvia, Pedro Rizzo, Sean McCorkle and Jeff Monson under his belt.

His two losses come at the hands of Mixed Martial Arts legend Fedor Emelianenko and fellow Japanese Judokan, Hidehiko Yoshida.

Like the aforementioned Takeshi Kasugai, Ishii also remained one of Asia’s busiest fighters throughout 2013 putting together a 6-0 record.

With last year behind him, Ishii looks to build on a seven-fight win streak and get a shot under the bright lights of the UFC.

The 22-year-old began his Mixed Martial career back in 2011, and since then has build up a respectable record. Ishihara has gone onto finish five of his six opponents by way of KO/TKO, which all have come inside the very first round.

Ishihara, who resides out of the Featherweight (132-lbs) division had a somewhat quiet year having only fought just once in 2013 defeating Koji Mori via TKO at VTJ 2nd.

His lone loss comes at the hands of a previously mentioned prospect on our list—Michinori Tanka. Since losing to his counterpart in the Shooto – Rookie Tournament Final, Teruto has went on a three-fight tear.

___________________________________________________________________________________________Photo credit: Masanori Suzuki
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